When Rivals.com 3-star running back Larry Dixon made his commitment to Army and as reported by GoBlackKnights.com, it solidified a core of talented incoming running backs and the recruiting class as a whole.

Let's take a look back and forward as GBK recaptures the moment in time.

Last Wednesday was National Signing Day; the first day football prospects can sign letters of intent to play college football.

Some players commit early and stick to their word. Other players wait until the last minute to make their college destinations, and invariably there are some unexpected choices and surprises along the way.

For the Black Knights of Army, they received the pledge from a prospect that fits into that "last minute" category. This talented running back, is probably the biggest surprise for the 2010 recruiting class and the latest addition comes from 3-star running back Larry Dixon

Dixon, who committed and signed over the weekend to play football for Army, is someone who adds immediate value to this year's class.

For the Army staff, who were hoping to pull in three other 3-star backs, in Keith McBride (committed to Navy, since transferred to William & Mary), Orleans Darkwa (Tulane)and Adonis Smith (committed to Northwestern, since transferred to UNLV), today's announcement could be considered the icing on the cake for what has turned out to be a very solid recruiting class even though there are still some open slots at other positions that will be filled over the next couple of weeks.

As noted by GBK at the time, getting Dixon, along with players like Trenton Turrentine who has tremendous upside, all-purpose Stephen Fraser, give the Black Knights talent, depth & competition at both the B-Back and Slot back positions. Then of course you have factoring into the youth equation, prepster (USMAPS) Raymond Maples and Air Force transfer Jared Hassin, along with sophomores to be Malcolm Brown, along with others and there is tons of young legs and potential fire power.

The Bremerton (Wash.) Olympic High School product is an explosive and physical back with serious talent.

The Past meets The Present

Those aforementioned descriptive of Dixon's high school abilities have surely translated over to the college game. After spending his first year in the Army Black Knights' football program at the USMAPS and upon his arrival to West Point, he has hit the ground running and has not looked back.

During his frosh season, where he gained 542 yards, it was clear that Dixon offered something unique to the program that resulted in former 1,000 yard rusher and fullback Jared Hassin to eventually lose his started spot to the tough running Dixon.

This season, Dixon's 495 yards (5 touchdowns) put him 3rd on the team in rushing, behind Maples, who is 10th the nation and quarterback Trent Steelman. What is even more impressive when you consider Dixon's 87 carries on the season, is that the hard running fullback has loss only one yard thus far in the 2012 season ... it just doesn't happen.

During the 3rd game of the season against Wake Forest, Dixon eclipsed the century mark for the first time in his college career, where he compiled 112 yards on the day.

"It felt great," Dixon shared with GBK on October 3rd. "It's something you dream about and to have the ability to play like that, it just makes you very thankful, especially with the people you are sharing it with. You have a very dominant offensive line and wide receivers who block on the first and second levels for you ... just makes you very thankful."

During Saturday's disappointing loss to Kent State, Dixon went down with a hamstring injury during the 4th quarter of the contest and his status against Eastern Michigan remains uncertain.

Needless to say, Dixon has lived up to his 3-star billing ... both on and off the field.